The Orcadian Strip the Willow is one of those dances that people either love immediately or find slightly terrifying — and usually both at the same time. It’s a variation of the traditional Strip the Willow, but faster, more intense, and with a style of spinning that’s distinctly different from the version most guests will have encountered before. When I use it at a wedding ceilidh, I tend to save it for later in the evening, once the floor is warm and people have found their confidence.

What makes the Orcadian version different

The traditional Strip the Willow is a well-known fixture of Scottish ceilidhs — a longways set dance where couples work their way down the line, giving right and left arms alternately to each person they meet. The Orcadian version follows the same basic structure, but the tempo is noticeably quicker and the spinning style is more vigorous. Where the standard version feels like a spirited jog, the Orcadian feels like a sprint.

The name comes from Orkney, where the dance has its own established tradition, and it’s become a popular choice at Scottish weddings precisely because of that extra energy. Guests who’ve done Strip the Willow before will recognise the shape of it immediately, which helps enormously — they just need to be prepared for the faster pace.

How the Orcadian Strip the Willow works

The dance is for sets of three or more couples in a longways formation — a line of ladies facing a line of men, with couples numbered from the top of the set.

The basic sequence

• Form two long lines facing each other — one line of gentlemen, one line of ladies. The caller will number the couples from the top (nearest the band).
• On the caller’s signal, the top couple spin each other with right arms linked for the count of eight.
• The active couples then begin stripping down their respective lines simultaneously. The golden rule: right hand to your partner, left hand to the person in the opposite line.
• Active lady: turn the first gentleman in the opposite line with your left arm , turn once, then return to your partner and turn right arms, turn once, Repeat down the line.
• Active gentleman: mirrors this simultaneously down the ladies’ line — left arm to the first lady, right arm back to partner, repeat down.
• The non-active couples in the line give their arm to the active person as they arrive, then return to their place. Keep your feet moving even when waiting — the energy of the dance depends on it.
• When an active couple reaches the bottom of the set, they spin each other once more for the count of eight, then join the bottom of their respective lines.
• As active couples reach the fourth couple, the next couple up becomes active and begins their spin at the top. In a long set, multiple waves of couples will be stripping downward at the same time.
• The dance continues until all couples have stripped down the set, or until the band signals the end. The final active couple finishes at the bottom and the dance ends.

The Orcadian difference in practice

The key distinction is the speed and the style of the two-handed turn at the bottom. In the Orcadian version, this turn is done at pace, with a strong centrifugal lean — both partners lean back slightly against each other’s weight and spin. It’s exhilarating when it works and chaotic when it doesn’t, which is part of the appeal.

I always demonstrate this turn before starting and remind couples to grip firmly at the wrist rather than the hand — it gives much better control at speed and prevents the sharp elbow-clash that happens when people grab fingers and then panic.

Tips for guests

Pace yourselves early. The temptation is to go flat out from the first turn, but you have a lot of spinning ahead of you. A consistent, controlled pace will get you through the whole set without your arms giving out halfway down the line.

Right arm for the set, left arm for your partner. This is the rule that keeps everything flowing. If you lose track, just watch where your partner is and react accordingly — the music will carry you through.

Lean into the two-handed turn. This is the moment that defines the Orcadian version. Trust your partner, lean back against their weight, and let the spin do the work. It feels much safer than it looks once you commit to it.

Don’t apologise — just keep moving. Everyone goes in the wrong direction at least once. The best thing to do is laugh, find your partner, and jump back in. Nobody minds and the music doesn’t wait.

When I use the Orcadian Strip the Willow at weddings

This is a dance for the second half of the evening, once guests have warmed up and the floor has found its rhythm. I wouldn’t open with it — it’s too fast and too demanding for guests who haven’t danced yet. But after the Canadian Barn Dance has settled the room and one or two other dances have built confidence, the Orcadian Strip the Willow is the one that really gets the room going.

I call it clearly and keep the instructions tight — experienced ceilidh dancers don’t need much, but first-timers need a clear right/left reminder before the music starts. The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society has documented many regional variations, so I always make clear at the start which version we’re doing to avoid confusion.

It’s also one of those dances where the spectators enjoy it almost as much as the participants — watching couples spin at speed down the line is genuinely entertaining, and the noise level in the room when it’s going well is something else entirely.

The Orcadian Strip the Willow is one of seven dances in the ceilidh dance guide. For more on planning your wedding ceilidh, read the full guide to DJ ceilidh calling at Scottish weddings or find out about the ceilidh calling service from just £75.